Living it Up: Breaking Down New Mexico’s Live Cultivation Scene
In New Mexico’s ever-expanding garden of growers, the question keeps popping up—who’s organic, and who’s doing it in living soil? Out of 107 licensed vendors, 58 are producing flower, and just 29 are using living soil. But here’s the thing: just because you’re not growing in living soil doesn’t mean your flower’s bunk.
What Is Living Soil, Anyway?
Living soil is the farmer’s version of sourdough starter—it’s alive, evolving, and full of microbes that help feed the plant. It’s organic, regenerative, and deeply respected by those who believe cannabis should be cultivated more like a tomato than a tech product.
But “organic” isn’t one-size-fits-all. Growers across the state are using different methods that fall somewhere on the spectrum:
Living Soil: Microbe-rich and closed-loop. Usually sun-grown or hybrid greenhouse.
Coco Coir + Bottled Nutrients: Cleaner control over inputs, big yields, less pest pressure.
Hydroponics & Deep Water Culture: Maximized growth, especially for indoor high-performers.
Rockwool + Synthetics: Corporate consistency with pharmaceutical cleanliness.
Native Soil + Amendments: Old-school style with local flair—used by many legacy operators.
So no—non-living soil doesn’t mean non-quality. What matters most is how the grower works: Are they clean? Do they flush? Do they cure properly? Technique and intention matter more than the medium.
Pesticides in New Mexico: What’s Allowed?
The state doesn’t mess around. New Mexico’s Cannabis Control Division (CCD) only allows certain pest management tools, and most of them lean toward the organic side:
Neem oil
Spinosad
Insecticidal soaps
Potassium bicarbonate
Essential oils (rosemary, thyme, clove, etc.)
Banned? The heavy-hitters like Eagle 20 and Avid, which leave behind toxic residue and have no business near anything you plan to inhale.
Want to Be on the List?
We’ve got the list, and we’re building it out with community help. The vendor portal is free to use, and if you’re growing clean, growing craft, or just want the world to know how you do things—get on it. Transparency isn’t just good business; it’s good storytelling.
Bottom line: living soil is a vibe, but it’s not the only path to excellence. Whether you’re microbially obsessed or running an LED-powered spaceship in the desert, quality comes down to care. And in New Mexico, there’s more than one way to grow great.
